Our Governors

Susannah Bellingham
Head Teacher

I was appointed as Brunswick Park’s Head Teacher in April 2014, a job I find hugely rewarding. Many families will be familiar with me at the school, as I have worked here for over two decades; first as the leader of Years 4-6, then as Assistant Head Teacher for Key Stage 2, during which time I qualified as a coach to support people from all walks of life to solve problems and find solutions, was brokered through a local Teaching School Alliance as a Specialist Leader in Education working in partnership with colleagues across Boroughs in other schools, and through the London Leadership Strategy supported teacher colleagues to reflect upon and improve practice through facilitation and training.

I began my career as a teacher in 1993, having trained in Hull after completing a Music Degree in Newcastle upon Tyne. I worked for 5 years in Middle and Junior schools in Rugby, Warwickshire, before moving to London in 1998 to work at Goodrich Primary School in Southwark. London is now very much my home, and at the moment I cannot imagine living anywhere else in the UK. I believe strongly that children must feel secure in order to develop the confidence needed to learn, because learning is all about making mistakes. This is why Brunswick Park is led to be a community of values, in which children are taught the difference between rights and responsibilities and that the relationships they make are of paramount importance; if you cannot relate well to others you cannot learn. In April 2019 Ofsted judged the school’s provision for personal development, behaviour and welfare to be Outstanding, and I share the Co-Chairs of Governors’ commitment to the development of the whole child and to ensuring that the best educational provision is delivered and maintained for every pupil. Music remains at the centre of what I do outside work, and whilst I no longer have the opportunity to play the flute in orchestras, I continue to sing with the London Philharmonic Choir, which allows me the luxury of working with world class musicians and conductors in landmark venues such as the Royal Albert Hall.

Matthew Guy
Co-opted Governor

I’m a co-opted governor living a few miles from the school. I became a governor in 2021 because I wanted to contribute to the local community, particularly after becoming a parent myself. I’m a strong believer in the power of education to give children and young people opportunities to thrive, and want to support Brunswick Park Primary School to achieve this for every child in the school.

I work for EngineeringUK, a charity that helps more, and more diverse, young people start careers in the engineering and technology sectors. I’ve previously worked with digital skills charity Apps for Good, London College of Communication at Elephant and Castle, and for charities such as Alzheimer’s Society and NSPCC. Outside work I enjoy taking my son to South East London’s many parks, plus cycling, running and cooking.

Veronica Kigundu
Local Authority Governor

I have worked in Southwark Council’s Children and Adults’ Services for over 10 years, providing information, advice and guidance to improve outcomes for children, young people and families. A school is a community hub in many ways through which families can access this information, advice and guidance. Being a governor has given me a great opportunity to give back to my community.